India's capital region of Delhi has virtually shut down as air pollution hit "severe plus" levels, according to Indian government officials in its pollution control authority Delhi's Chief Minister Atishi Marlena said that all of northern India was in the middle of a "medical emergency.

In several areas of the city, pollution levels were more than 50 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit. Forecasts say the poor air quality will continue into the week.

India said on Sunday that it would tighten restrictions including on construction activities and vehicle movements in New Delhi and surrounding areas from Monday to combat worsening air quality.